Strategy What is the best Richmond midfield mix for 2025?

[beema limapep]

Only 1 of Taranto, Hopper and Prestia should attend centre bounces at any one time. We are too slow with 2 of them.

Smilie and Lalor should be in the mix. Reckon a couple of others too but we really need another 2 or 3 quality mids in the 2025 draft. Ross and McCauliffe might be OK for best 22 but aren't top tier and Dow and Sonsie probably won't make it.

 

[SplintWhisky]

Its time to flip the script. Instead of sending all these players to the half back line, it's time to send these half backers into the midfield.

 

[DickieKnee]

Its time to flip the script. Instead of sending all these players to the half back line, it's time to send these half backers into the midfield.

We tried that with Baker and Short. We need quality midfielders. Start with 2 of Taranto, Hopper Prestia and Smille Lalor,Hotton rotating through.

 

[Coach_Required]

Only 1 of Taranto, Hopper and Prestia should attend centre bounces at any one time. We are too slow with 2 of them.

Smilie and Lalor should be in the mix. Reckon a couple of others too but we really need another 2 or 3 quality mids in the 2025 draft. Ross and McCauliffe might be OK for best 22 but aren't top tier and Dow and Sonsie probably won't make it.

Please explain to me how you know this?
Is it because he didn't crack into the starting midfield in his first season after half a dozen games?

For all you know he could potentially be our next Lambert, taken late in the draft and one of our more important players in years to come.

1st sentence i agree with, second sentence can get in the bin. Far too early to be making any call on him.

 

[beema limapep]

Please explain to me how you know this?
Is it because he didn't crack into the starting midfield in his first season after half a dozen games?

For all you know he could potentially be our next Lambert, taken late in the draft and one of our more important players in years to come.

1st sentence i agree with, second sentence can get in the bin. Far too early to be making any call on him.

It's where I see him probably ending up. I know this as much as you know he will be our next Lambert.

You can do what you like with your bins.

 

[docko911]

I hope Yze has wiped the slate clean and told the players that whoever earns their spot will play round 1.

The way I see it now is we play the best performing players to begin the season and if they don’t cut the mustard at AFL level they get put back down the pecking order.

If Dow has an outstanding preseason he plays but if his AFL performance doesn’t match or better his outing v Melbourne this year, his tenure in the AFL is short lived. The same goes for Sonsie.

The younger guys get a little bit of leeway in the AFL, minimum 2 weeks but preferably 3-4, at AFL level.

In terms of midfield mix, foot speed is not the biggest issue in a midfield. We need players that find the ball and make quick/good decisions. They also need to be able hold a ****ing tackle (Sonsie/Dow eyes on). The ball moves quicker than the feet but still pace doesn’t hurt.

Ultimately, I think the talent of Smillie, Lalor and Hotton will ensure no duds are getting midfield minutes by the end of the year. McAuliffe looks a good chance to build into our rotation. MRJ is the other one that could be a great part-timer. Remember Daniel Rioli was pretty shit early in his career and we were very good.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Prestia , hopper , Taranto . Will provide the experience
Ross , McAuliffe , Dow will be the more experienced developing mids with a mixture of draftees getting a run through there from time to time .

 

[DickieKnee]

Prestia , hopper , Taranto . Will provide the experience
Ross , McAuliffe , Dow will be the more experienced developing mids with a mixture of draftees getting a run through there from time to time .

Yeah we're not going to throw our first year draftees to the wolves,v they'll be slowly introduced.

 

[Tackle Bag]

1 experienced mid + Nank then 2 young mids is what I want to see.

Also 1 of Hopper or prestia should be playing vfl to help fast track development..

Carnt see yze doing this though as he will be trying to get short term results to save his own arse so it will be Tarranto Hopper and prestia as much as possible.

Agree, If we waste a full year playing Prestia, at 32 with his injury history, as a mainstay through the middle then I will be disappointed. Hopper and Taranto need to be the core with the younger mids rotated through.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Agree, If we waste a full year playing Prestia, at 32 with his injury history, as a mainstay through the middle then I will be disappointed. Hopper and Taranto need to be the core with the younger mids rotated through.

I would be concerned that playing taranto and hopper with a draftee, would see the developing mids solely used in a defensive role , given Taranto and hopper lack of defense . It’s a mistake many clubs have including Richmond have made in the past .
Need to develop their defensive game without smothering their flare and offensiveness .

 

[TJTIGER]

I'm 100% with you, I have been throwing up MRJ's name to go into the middle since half way through last year I reckon.

It was good to see him doing this craft at VFL level as well but I think his speed and pressure could be of real use.

I’m with you here. I’m leaning in the direction of MRJ being a bit of a late developer.
I'm thinking senior may have been? He came across as an “mature” recruit didn’t he?

 

[Rocco sifreddi]

Only 1 of Taranto, Hopper and Prestia should attend centre bounces at any one time. We are too slow with 2 of them.

Smilie and Lalor should be in the mix. Reckon a couple of others too but we really need another 2 or 3 quality mids in the 2025 draft. Ross and McCauliffe might be OK for best 22 but aren't top tier and Dow and Sonsie probably won't make it.

A burst player like Draper would be ideal in the next draft we've got enough extractors, we badly need some speedy link up types imo.

 

[beema limapep]

A burst player like Draper would be ideal in the next draft we've got enough extractors, we badly need some speedy link up types imo.

Pick 1 - Dyson Sharp
Pick 2 (norf) - Fred Rodriguez
Pick 37 - Louis Kellaway

 

[Coach_Required]

Brisbane had the following in the GF

• Neale
• Dunkley
• Ashcroft
• Fletcher (W)
• McCluggage (W)

They also had

• Berry
• Rayner

Rotating through the midfield at times but played HF.

Who do we have atm filling those spots?

• Taranto
• Prestia
• Hopper
• Smillie
• Lalor
• McAuliffe
• McIntosh (W)
• Ralphsmith (W)
• Ross (W)
• Dow
• Sonsie

I would have the following:

AFL

• Prestia
• Taranto
• McAuliffe
• Hopper - interchange (playing both Smillie & Lalor we will need an extra mid while they develop)
• Smillie - HF rotating into mid (early days until he matures to take over full mid roll)
• Lalor - HF rotating into mid
• Ralphsmith (W)
• Ross (W)

VFL
McIntosh
Dow
Sonsie

 

[THE_GUN]

A burst player like Draper would be ideal in the next draft we've got enough extractors, we badly need some speedy link up types imo.

FRED RODRIGUEZ is your man

 

[LTT]

What is the best midfield mix for Richmond in 2025?

Our midfield mix is something that has left a lot to be desired the last couple of years and 2025 presents some more challengers in this space.

A lot will argue that Prestia, Taranto and Hopper are our best starting mids.

As individual players they all fit the bill, BUT as a collective trio I think we lack too much speed and X factor with all 3 in the guts together.



In the video below Grock and I took a look at it, definitely plenty to consider!

Who are you going with?

I agree with your belief that our current midfield setup is too slow however these guys seem to be picked because of Nanks ruck strategy or maybe Nanks strategy is because these three as our starting mids. Basically from my observation Nanks strategy is to engage the opposition ruckman a try to bring the ball down to his feet where our midfielders can crack in and Nank can lend support. The tactic appears to be to neutralise the opposition ruck and requires bullocking midfielders. So the question is if we want to change our midfield do we need to change our strategy and our ruck. Samson Ryan is a better tap ruckman IMO than Nank and maybe OHB is as well but are we ready for that big a change which would also mean losing Nanks field marking. So when we talk about what is our best midfield mix then Nank also has to be in the conversation.

 

[Truetiger]

I wouldn’t be against Short having time in the Midfield. Prestia hopefully can string games together or as Sub?

 

[THE_GUN]

I wouldn’t be against Short having time in the Midfield. Prestia hopefully can string games together or as Sub?

Short had his stint as a mid and was not very good at that
HBF is his position or high half foward / wing

 

[LTT]

Short had his stint as a mid and was not very good at that
HBF is his position or high half foward / wing

Why would we try and create a position in our midfield for a 30yo when we have so many young guys we need to play and assess. Same with MacIntosh and probably Prestia

 

[THE_GUN]

Why would we try and create a position in our midfield for a 30yo when we have so many young guys we need to play and assess. Same with MacIntosh and probably Prestia

I think you are just saying pretty much what i posted

when you basically agree with me not sure what you want me to say

 

[Vassp]

I look at the Lions midfield and don't see a lot of pace there with Neale, Dunkley, McLuggage and Berry .What I do see however is speed of ball movement where the mids extract from stoppages then get it to either fast players or excellent distributors by foot, so those 2nd and 3rd receivers are the key to speed. It's probably why I was most keen on Lindsay and Oliver in the draft as they were the best kicks, they didn't fall our way as they were both gone at our selections but i have no doubt that they would have been high on our board.

Begs the question then, where does our link up speed and/or foot distribution come from? There's been an obvious lean towards ball movement in the preseason so far but I'm wondering who provides that burst off HB and who are those outside players that can deliver with precision.

HRS has foot speed, but I'm unsure of his kicking skills, seems to rush his disposals or used to. I'm at a bit of a loss though trying to identify anyone else, maybe Kaleb Smith. Brown and Banks look to have good kicking skills as does Bauer who could play that higher HF role linking up with transitional plays, MRJ certainly has burst speed but not full time. Judson Clarke has speed and kicking skills. Will be a lot to play out in this area and will be fascinating to see.

This, exactly the point. Hoppers and TTs use of the footy is below par, - mix that with their below par mobility and it just doesnt cut it in the modern game. Prestia is past it IMO and should hang it up after this year.

 

[4tune8]

This, exactly the point. Hoppers and TTs use of the footy is below par, - mix that with their below par mobility and it just doesnt cut it in the modern game. Prestia is past it IMO and should hang it up after this year.

Agree with Hopper and TT's use of the footy, but they're both very good as extractors and defensive mids, trouble is their delivery to the outside players (Rioli, Bolton) undoes all of their good work on the inside.

Our game plan used to rely on putting pressure on the oppo's 2nd & 3rd receivers even to the extent of losing clearances but then gaining possession through turnovers and kickstarting that forward thrust through forward handballing and surge football, Hopper and TT suited that gamestyle to a tee.

What we're missing is that player who can get first hands on the ball but then release players through handball (kicking if there's time) that's full of vision and precision. Shedda was one of the best at this and we sorely miss him, players like both Mitchells, Diesel Williams, Paul Broderick and the likes are gold.

We obviously don't have Rioli or Bolton as speed on the outside, who comes into the side in their roles/positions is yet to be seen, but what I really want to see is that mid who can fulfill the role like Shedda used to.

 

[LTT]

I think you are just saying pretty much what i posted

when you basically agree with me not sure what you want me to say

I do agree with you. But I also question whether there is any position for him on the HBF. He was below average last year off HBF so should we create a position for him on the HBF or take the opportunity to test our kids. Posters seem to think we need players like Short in the side but my opinion is if they are not really good players like Vlastuin then play the kids. The kids might fail but at least we will know
I would be interested in your opinion on Prestia Kmac and Broad as well.

 

[Boxo004]

LOTW, Magic and Groupie for inside size and grunt

 

[Vassp]

Agree with Hopper and TT's use of the footy, but they're both very good as extractors and defensive mids, trouble is their delivery to the outside players (Rioli, Bolton) undoes all of their good work on the inside.

Our game plan used to rely on putting pressure on the oppo's 2nd & 3rd receivers even to the extent of losing clearances but then gaining possession through turnovers and kickstarting that forward thrust through forward handballing and surge football, Hopper and TT suited that gamestyle to a tee.

What we're missing is that player who can get first hands on the ball but then release players through handball (kicking if there's time) that's full of vision and precision. Shedda was one of the best at this and we sorely miss him, players like both Mitchells, Diesel Williams, Paul Broderick and the likes are gold.

We obviously don't have Rioli or Bolton as speed on the outside, who comes into the side in their roles/positions is yet to be seen, but what I really want to see is that mid who can fulfill the role like Shedda used to.

i'm not putting much weight into both of those players, it is what it is. The only thing i will say, is that tt is competitive and can hit the score board, and I like his interviews, but appart from that I dont rate him as a footballer in the modern game..
Hopper has had his chances to show what he can do, this is his year OR bye, bye charlie brown.